The first rains for the year have been recorded at the world's largest cattle station, Anna Creek, west of Lake Eyre in South Australia, but may do little for the station which is facing a complete de-stocking.

About 15 millimetres of rain have been recorded at the Anna Creek station house, a far cry from the 400 millimetres station manager Randell Crozier says the area needs.

He will wait until August to determine the fate of the station's remaining 3,000 head of stock.

After nearly 36 millimetres of rain at Innamincka in SA's far north-east, travellers stranded in the hotel there have made the most of the dirt roads being closed.